Spiritual Partnerships: Why HSP Are Evolving From Traditional Relationships

Have you noticed how the entire human relationship experience is in transition? Perhaps you have noticed in yourself, or others, that we are expecting so much more out of relationships than we settled for before? We are no longer satisfied with remaining in stagnant or destructive relationships for the sake of security or survival.

HSP are driven by purpose and meaning, without it, we wither.

Although it seems as if women are initiating this transition, there are more and more men who also long for a spiritual partnership. So what is the difference and why should anyone be alert to these global changes in consciousness?

A spiritual relationship can be defined as:

A partnership between equals whose purpose is spiritual growth. Spiritual partners crave meaning, equality, harmony, sharing, passion, a shared purpose, and a reverence for life.

We are now more than ever, searching for partners with whom we can grow spiritually rather than just accomplish common and expected goals of society.

We are realizing that there's so much more to life than getting married, having a family, and paying off the mortgage. We hunger for deep connection, someone who 'gets us', someone who inspires us to become the best we can be.

It's like we are evolving from five sensory to multi sensory.

We are seeing past the short lived glitz and glamor of ego. Men and women now seem to have access to so much more awareness.

Instead we are drawn to people who are grateful, patient, caring, creative, fulfilled, loving, fully present in interactions, and evolving. These are common longings of HSP. We yearn for something much more than just physical attraction, or the ability to provide security.

Spirituality is a pilgrimage into self awareness and self responsibility. We eagerly seek to enter into meaningful and significant relationships that nurture spiritual growth of both partners. 

A spiritual partnership can be likened to friends, who are students learning the same subject at school and they help one another with their homework, which is spiritual growth. They are fellow travelers bound for the same destination. They are each responsible for their shared journey, and they are each committed to completing it. They only stay together as long as they are growing together.

Spiritual partners understand that the other person doesn't cause them pain but rather may trigger sources of it within themselves. They are seen as messengers showing us what wounds still need healing. They look inside themselves for causes of pain or suffering, rather than blame the other person, or external causes. They are willing to take full responsibility for the parts they bring into this partnership.They support each other in transforming their past wounds into wisdom.

Human consciousness is changing rapidly. Relationships of the past based on inequality, control, blame, dependence, and traditionally accepted roles are growing old, fast. Many of these relationships are coming to an end.

Many HSP are stepping up, and setting a higher standard for their experiences of relationships.

And that is empowering because we need to let go of the old and ineffective to make room for the new and deeply satisfying.

We can no longer silence our hearts because the voice of our Soul is growing louder. We can no longer pretend or lie to ourselves.

We find overwhelming joy in meeting like minded travelers, and when we find each other there is peace, joy, and a sense of 'knowing' unlike we have experienced ever before.

Spiritual partners encourage each others expression of uniqueness, and discovery of each others Soul purpose.  There's a shared agreement to be present for each other during life's challenging times.

This profound change is beginning with each of us, and our seeking a deeper commitment to our own spiritual growth. Unlike ever before, these kind of partnerships enable us to transcend our family history, dramas, and tragedies to grow spiritually and evolve.

We are growing tired and bored of discussing repetitive relationship problems and are more keen to find solutions.

We are losing interest in partners that are not interested in growth, or choose to stay 'unconscious', victims, who are irresponsible for their actions, words, and energy.

We are also accepting that to truly love someone, sometimes it may mean that you do have to let them go, because it is the most loving thing to do for ourselves, and them. We understand that some people can remain in our heart, but not in our life.

We are beginning to trust that everything will come to us at exactly the perfect time, including a spiritual partnership.

If we want to participate in changing the world, this is how we do it. With one conscious choice at a time.

Regarding partnerships, choose what is worthy of your interest, attention, and investment, and what is not. For every mindful and lovingly intentional choice you make, you personally contribute to raising consciousness at this time.

Depth, authenticity and purpose are fast becoming non-negotiable for many HSP. We are would rather be alone than participate in self betrayal.
 
For more empowering insights for HSP please connect via YouTube here.

What Every Exhausted & Overweight Woman Must Know About Her Thyroid

Having a basic awareness about the thyroid gland, what it does, how it works, and what it requires nutritionally, can have a huge impact on quality of life for many women! Undiagnosed low thyroid function can feel like an endless experience of frustration and madness.

I'm passionate about raising awareness about the importance of healthy thyroid function because I have personally seen many women suffer silently for 20-30 years. Every woman owes it to herself to become aware of her own body, and join the dots regarding thyroid health and common symptoms that may be presenting. For the purposes of this basic blog I will just be discussing hypothyroidism.

Hashimoto's disease, also known as autoimmune thyroiditis, is recognized as a common cause of hypothyroidism. It's classified as an autoimmune condition where the immune system cells attack the thyroid gland, causing inflammation. This reduces the thyroid's ability to make hormones.

Here are some staggering statistics. According to the American Thyroid Association:  More than 12 percent of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime.

• An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease.
• Up to 60 percent of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition.
• Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems.
• One woman in eight will develop a thyroid disorder during her lifetime.

These statistics are for Australia, provided by by Thyroid Australia Ltd.. These statistics show the prevalence of spontaneous hypo and hyperthyroidism. Its astounding for women aged between 51-60 the incidence is over 11%, and the rates keep going up with age. Is this not significant enough for people to be aware of?? Clearly by these statistics, as we get older we need to become more aware of our thyroid needing support.

Australian Prevalence - Spontaneous Hypo- and Hyperthyroidism
Age	Female		Male		Female to Male
	Number	%	Number	%
20 & Under	16,065	0.60%	4,055	0.14%	3.96
21 to 30	26,891	1.91%	7,856	0.55%	3.42
31 to 40	50,631	3.46%	16,361	1.06%	3.30
41 to 50	83,833	6.28%	23,349	1.74%	3.59
51 to 60	107,289	11.25%	25,563	2.59%	4.20
61 to 70	136,747	19.30%	25,247	3.68%	5.41
71 to 80	166,344	29.22%	21,869	4.85%	7.61
Over 80	123,815	41.85%	9,504	6.26%	13.03
TOTALS	711,614	7.56%	132,831	1.43%	5.36

Hypothyroidism results from altered or under secretion of thyroid hormone. It can present as  extreme and constant tiredness, slow metabolism, weight gain/ inability to lose weight, intolerance to cold, muscle weakness, recurrent infections, poor memory, brain 'fog', decreased concentration, depression, water retention, chronic constipation, dry skin, loss of hair and coarse hair, muscle and joint pain, high cholesterol, irregular periods, infertility, diminished sex drive, and slow healing are symptoms women can suffer from for decades. If you are experiencing more than a few of these symptoms, then perhaps its time to consider whether your thyroid needs support.

Hypothyroidism often goes undiagnosed or unrecognized. Women can take medication for depression, take  laxatives for constipation, endlessly apply expensive moisturizers for dry skin, go on 50 diets to reduce stubborn weight gain, suffer with painful fibrocystic breasts, and take diuretics for water retention. This becomes a very expensive search! Every measure could prove ineffective because this requires treating the cause, NOT just the symptoms.

So why is the thyroid gland so important? And what's the iodine connection? Consumption of iodine has fallen drastically since the 1970's. Iodine is absolutely essential for the thyroid gland, and for the creation for T3 and T4 (iodine rich hormones which are released from the gland and transported all over the body).

T4 is a pro-hormone, a pre-cursor to T3 which is ready to be activated in cells of peripheral tissues, liver, and pituitary gland.

Its important to know that when T3 reaches the nucleus of these cells it initiates energy, heat production, oxygen usage, glucose uptake, makes insulin receptors more sensitive to insulin, creates protein, and creates our 'happy hormones' such as serotonin and dopamine. So you can see the impact this has on how your whole body's metabolism!

Other very interesting facts about iodine is that iodine is a powerful sterilizing agent, helps fight off infections, it is anti parasitic, anti cancer and is an antioxidant. Iodine is essential for a healthy immune system!

Iodine deficiency can cause havoc on your whole body, not just thyroid problems and goitre (enlaged thyroid gland). It can also cause mental retardation, cretinism, some forms of cancer, including thyroid cancer, cysts on glandular tissue, such as ovaries and breasts. 

It appears that iodine deficiency is a risk factor for both breast cancer and fibrocystic breast disease.

Painful fibrocystic breasts often reverse with sufficient iodine replacement. Supplementation with therapeutic doses of iodine has also been found to be very effective at totally eliminating ovarian cysts. The reason for this is because of iodine's effect on estrogen. It actually helps metabolize estrone (an estrogen which promotes breast cancer cell growth)

 
Women can endure debilitating symptoms for years, be misdiagnosed or sent away repeatedly with 'we cant find a clear problem so it must be all in your head', because their thyroid tests came back as 'normal'.
 
Thyroid tests need to be comprehensive and include these 6:

1. TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)
2. TPO Antibodies (thyroid peroxidase antibodies)
3. Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TG antibodies)
4. Free T3
5. Free T4
6. thyroid ultrasound.

If you have thyroid issues, are using supplements or adding dietary iodine be aware of this: bromide, fluoride and chloride are all chemicals that compete for absorption with iodine!

In the 1980s, bromine (a bromide derivative) replaced iodine as a bread dough ingredient. Bromine is a known breast carcinogen. In addition, to brominated vegetable oils (BVO's) commonly used in commercial baked goods, bromide can also be found in soft drinks (especially citrus like Fanta, Moutain Dew, Gatorade Orange, Sunkist pineapple, Powerade.

Read more here:http://www.news.com.au/finance/business/cocacola-drops-brominated-vegetable-oil-from-powerade/story-fnkgdftz-1226905582553

Methyl bromide is also a pesticide used mainly on strawberries. So, unknowingly consumption of these could be deeming your iodine supplements ineffective! Regular consumption of these products could slowly and silently be degrading our thyroid function. Our exposure to bromide is inescapable but knowledge gives you options to make better choices for yourself, and your family.

Bromide, chlorine and fluoride are often also included in water for swimming pools and spas. It takes approximately 15 seconds of washing your hands in chlorinated water for it to absorb through your skin! Unless you have a 'good' shower filter, most people absorb chlorine on a daily basis via inhalation while showering. If you're serious about healing your thyroid issues, please aware be of this. Its the daily small habits that accumulate and slowly cause bigger health issues later down the track.

There has been a lot of controversy regarding fluoridation of water but truth about the toxic effects on human health far outweigh what the public has been told. Skeptics can't deny that fluoridation IS mass medication because nobody can actually answer HOW MUCH fluoride we are ingesting daily via drinking tap water. Fluoride is found in most cities tap water and toothpastes, so if you have thyroid issues, be aware of what you're exposed to every day that could be halting your recovery. Smoking can also decrease thyroid hormone secretion.

The good news however is that if iodine is present in sufficient amounts, bromide, fluoride, and chlorine cannot affect the thyroid and are excreted from the body. Iodine has also been shown to increase the excretion of other toxic heavy metals such as mercury and lead.

One my favorite iodine supplements is Lugol's, which can be bought from a compounding pharmacy. For more empowering information about iodine and history of Lugols's read this..

http://www.altcancer.com/lugols.htm

Goitrogens also block iodine's function. Goitrongens are present in the Brassica family of food, and include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, turnips, mustard greens, spinach, radish, Brussels sprouts, kolrabhi, and horseradish. So perhaps reduce your ingestion of these if you are suspecting your thyroid is struggling.

Other nutrient deficiencies such as essential fatty acid, zinc and selenium can negatively affect thyroid function. So it's important that your body has optimal amounts of these nutrients if you're healing your thyroid function and need help with symptoms.

Find a practitioner who understands and supports your intention to heal. Someone compassionate who knows the frustration of searching for answers. Someone who can either empower you, or point you in the right direction of someone else who specializes in restoring thyroid health. There's some brilliant therapists emerging now because women are asking more questions.

I hope the brief information presented in this blog has shed some light on what your next step needs to be. Your quality of life depends on your level of awareness.


I highly recommend the book Running On Empty by Robyn Koumourou. She is a current board member of the support organization Thyroid Australia. This book is for any woman who's sick and tired of being sick and tired, and who finally wants to make sense of the madness. Very empowering and educating.

If this information resonated with you, and you too are interested in learning about reaching your highest potential then please subscribe to receive more enlightening blog posts..
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The Dysfunctional Relationship Quiz: Questions For Clarity

Most of us women have found ourselves in 'ambiguous' relationships at some stage in our lives. Some of us had the self worth to identify what was dysfunctional early on and take action. Too many of us however, stayed in these kind of relationships for too many years. Sometimes for decades, only to look back and see we could've made healthier choices, sooner. If only somebody had told us!

I guess the reason why I'm passionate about the subject of dysfunctional and toxic relationships because I learnt the long and hard way. So it's my intention thru the information that I present, that other women's relationship journeys will be easier.

It's humiliating to even admit to ourselves that we may have tolerated behaviors that we knew deep down were hurting us. Confronting the truth of our suffering in dysfunctional relationships is shame and guilt inducing also.

Our heart desperately wants to believe that we are in a mutually respectful situation. However, we can only deny hearing our intuition for so long. Lying to ourselves is one of the most painful positions to be in.

Women need to realize that if their chosen partner is developmentally incompatible, or isn't willing to address dysfunctional behavior, then love won't be enough.

Answer "yes" or "no" to the following questions to get a better idea if you may be in a dysfunctional relationship.

1. Do you feel you need to cover up some of your partners behavior? Excessive drinking, gambling, abuse toward you or others, etc.
2. Do you accept behavior most people would find intolerable?
3. Do friends tell you they don't understand why you are still putting up with your partner?
4. Do you try to avoid contact with these friends?
5. Have you told lies or betrayed other people to protect the relationship with your partner?
6. Are you becoming isolated?
7. Do you possibly have other stress related illnesses? For example, anxiety, insomnia, migraine, symptoms related to Irritable Bowel Syndrome, skin rashes?
8. Is your affection, honesty, heartfelt expression, commitment, or love not being reciprocated?
9. Are you becoming depressed? Symptoms including, feelings of worthlessness, withdrawal, constant fatigue, trouble thinking clearly, weight loss or gain, becoming less interested in things that previously used to bring you joy.
10. Have you acted in ways that go against your own values and beliefs, for the sake of maintaining this relationship?
11. Are you having difficulties standing up for your beliefs?
12. Have you ever been put in physical danger, or in a situation where physical danger was possible or likely?
13. Are the decisions you are making out of fear, guilt, or obligation?
14. Does the relationship seem to based more on power and control, than caring and kindness?
15. Do you live in confusion and are apprehensive about clarifying issues that concern you?
16. Are you emotionally on an unpredictable roller coaster ride, always left guessing about what mood your partner will be in each day?
17. Do you feel as if you are walking on eggshells in their presence?

The more times you answered "yes", the more indicative it is that you are in a dysfunctional relationship.

When you have been around these kind of behaviors for a length of time you can become confused about what is normal and what is not. The above questions may assist you in getting some clarity.

Once you become more clear you are in a better position to reach out for help, instead of living in endless confusion, or denial. Clarity can also give you confidence to take action on your behalf.

Remember, awareness of a problem is the first step. Denial of problems reinforces the negative behavior further.

There is no need to endure dysfunction in relationships. People who are not willing to take responsibility for their behaviors need to seek professional help from an objective source, such as a counselor, therapist, or 12 step group.

Further tolerance and sacrifice from their partners enables the cycle to continue. Your acceptance of dysfunctional behavior could also be depriving the other person from opportunities to grow.

I often hear some women say "all men are the same". I totally disagree, because a wise woman decides to stop choosing the same kind of men.

The most common way women give up their power is by thinking they don't have any. However, the truth is that women have tremendous power in putting an end to dysfunctional relationships, and raising the bar on what they accept as loving behavior.

Perhaps its easier said than done, but it sure is easier to confront sooner, rather than in the fifth or tenth year. Never be shy about seeking help, for it doesn't mean that you're weak, but that you are wise!

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